opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən 
1
2
a
: belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge
a person of rigid opinions
b
: a generally held view
news programs that shape public opinion
3
a
: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert
My doctor says that I need an operation, but I'm going to get a second opinion.
b
: the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based
The article discusses the recent Supreme Court opinion.
Synonyms
Examples of opinion in a Sentence
We asked for their opinions about the new stadium.
In my opinion, it's the best car on the market.
The article discusses two recent Supreme Court opinions.
Recent Examples on the Web
Those who have the highest level of engagement — people who actively support candidates, stay informed about public affairs and have strongly held opinions about issues — are the most likely to feel that way.
—
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
In her opinion, the advantages to each are as follows: The aisle has leg room and bathroom access, the middle gets right of first refusal to the armrests, and the window seat affords privacy and, well, the window.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
And while red-state opinion continues to be the lifeblood of the Fox News schedule, the company has tried to broaden itself, with nods to lifestyle programming on Fox Nation and weekend linear.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023
Toshiba has said its complex relationships with various stakeholders, including shareholders with different opinions, have hampered business operations and that a stable shareholder base would help the company pursue its long-term strategy centered on high-margin digital services.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023
There may be differences of opinion and viewpoints about dress codes.
—Megan Barnes, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
With a growing number of digital media sources available to them, right-leaning audiences have plenty of options for getting news, opinion and entertainment.
—Mae Anderson, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
Although the parks did remain open, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office released a legal opinion that found Trump administration officials had violated the law by using fees that were designed to support visitor services, fund operations, and keep basic maintenance.
—Nancy Vu, Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2023
But, in our opinion, that monthly cleaning is absolutely worth the odor-free, daily ease that the PetSafe ScoopFree litterbox provides.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
See More
David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2023
In her opinion, the advantages to each are as follows: The aisle has leg room and bathroom access, the middle gets right of first refusal to the armrests, and the window seat affords privacy and, well, the window.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
And while red-state opinion continues to be the lifeblood of the Fox News schedule, the company has tried to broaden itself, with nods to lifestyle programming on Fox Nation and weekend linear.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 21 Sep. 2023
Toshiba has said its complex relationships with various stakeholders, including shareholders with different opinions, have hampered business operations and that a stable shareholder base would help the company pursue its long-term strategy centered on high-margin digital services.
—Reuters, CNN, 21 Sep. 2023
There may be differences of opinion and viewpoints about dress codes.
—Megan Barnes, ABC News, 21 Sep. 2023
With a growing number of digital media sources available to them, right-leaning audiences have plenty of options for getting news, opinion and entertainment.
—Mae Anderson, Fortune, 21 Sep. 2023
Although the parks did remain open, the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office released a legal opinion that found Trump administration officials had violated the law by using fees that were designed to support visitor services, fund operations, and keep basic maintenance.
—Nancy Vu, Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2023
But, in our opinion, that monthly cleaning is absolutely worth the odor-free, daily ease that the PetSafe ScoopFree litterbox provides.
—Barbara Bellesi Zito, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'opinion.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English opinioun, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French opinion, borrowed from Latin opīniōn-, opīniō "what or how one thinks about something, expectation, estimation, reputation," from opīn-, base of opīnārī "to hold as an opinion, think, have in mind" (of obscure origin) + -iōn-, -iō, suffix of verbal action
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of opinion was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing opinion
Articles Related to opinion
Dictionary Entries Near opinion
Cite this Entry
“Opinion.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/opinion. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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Kids Definition
opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən
1
: a judgment about a person or thing
2
: a belief based on experience and on seeing certain facts that falls short of positive knowledge
3
a
: a statement by an expert after careful study
you better get a doctor's opinion
b
: a formal statement from a judge or court of the reasons for a legal decision
Medical Definition
opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən
: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert
wanted a second opinion on the advisability of performing the operation
Legal Definition
opinion
noun
opin·ion
ə-ˈpin-yən
1
a
: a belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge
b
: a formal expression of a judgment or appraisal by an expert see also opinion testimony at testimony compare fact
2
a
: advice or evaluation regarding the legal issues involved in a situation given by an attorney to a client
an opinion of title
called also legal opinion
see also opinion letter at letter sense 1
b
: an advisory opinion issued by an authorized public official (as an attorney general) or a recognized body (as the American Bar Association)
3
a
: the formal written expression by a court or judge of the reasons and principles of law upon which the decision in a case is based compare holding, judgment, ruling
—
advisory opinion
: a nonbinding opinion or evaluation of a court or other judicial or quasi-judicial authority or body regarding the effect of the law on a situation that does not present an actual controversy between parties
to answer questions which were not brought before this Court would be to issue an advisory opinion—JBC of Wyoming Corp. v. City of Cheyenne, 843 P.2d 1190 (1992)
JBC of Wyoming Corp. v. City of Cheyenne, 843 P.2d 1190 (1992)
Note: Advisory opinions are issued especially by administrative agencies and by some state courts. Federal courts are constrained by the U.S. Constitution to deciding only cases or controversies and cannot issue advisory opinions.
—
concurring opinion
: an opinion by a judge who agrees with the result in a case but not necessarily with the reasoning used to reach it
—
dissenting opinion
: an opinion by a judge who disagrees with the result in a case
—
majority opinion
: an opinion in a case that is written by one judge and in which a majority of the judges on the court join
—
memorandum opinion
: a brief opinion of a court that announces the result of a case without extensive discussion and that is usually unpublished and cannot be cited as precedent
: an opinion of the U.S. Tax Court that is ordered not to be published but that is authoritative as precedent
a
: an opinion of a court that sets forth the court's views or intended decision in a case but does not constitute the judgment
b
: an opinion of a court or judge setting forth the conclusions and findings and containing or constituting the actual order, judgment, or decree in the case
—
per curiam opinion
: a usually very brief unanimous opinion attributed to the court as a whole and not to any particular judge
—
plurality opinion
: an opinion with which a majority of the judges on the court concur in result but not in reasoning
—
separate opinion
: an opinion written separately by a judge who dissents or who concurs only in the result of the majority opinion
—
slip opinion
: an opinion published in temporary form soon after the decision is rendered
b
: a written explanation for a decision reached by an official (as an arbitrator) presiding over the nonjudicial resolution of a dispute
More from Merriam-Webster on opinion
Nglish: Translation of opinion for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of opinion for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about opinion
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